GCC to use iron hand for online abusers

GCC states have formed a joint team to speed up legal action against websites and social media platforms accused of violating the laws governing the use of cyberspace in the region, informed sources said on Thursday.

Bahraini Telecommunications Minister Sheikh Fawaz Al-Khalifa said the team is working for a united stance among the GCC states.

The team is headed by Mohamed Al-Ghanem, general manager of the Emirati telecom regulatory authority, and has completed a study on the scale of problems on social networking websites, Khalifa said.

“In the upcoming phase, it will announce if service providers have begun to close some accounts. There are still some accounts that await judicial steps before rulings are issued,” he added.

The team aims to build bridges between the GCC and global companies providing social networking services and cellular phone applications, Khalifa said.

He added that at least three percent of Bahrainis using social networking websites are misusing them, and that the judiciary is looking into their cases.

He did not elaborate on the violations, but said there is no discussion about shutting down social networking sites.